Qatar says demands are ‘made to be rejected’

ROME, ITALY / DOHA AND ABU SAMRA, QATAR-SAUDI ARABIA BORDER, QATAR / ANKARA, TURKEY
REUTERS / TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL POOL / TIMA VIA REUTERS –
Demands made of Qatar by four other Arab states were designed to be rejected, Doha’s foreign minister said on Saturday, explaining that their ultimatum was aimed not at tackling terrorism but at curtailing his country’s sovereignty. Scarlett Cvitanovich reports.

Qatar looks set to reject the demands made of it by several neighbouring states.

Officials say they are aimed at ending a rift that erupted last month over accusations Qatar supports terrorism.

A charge it denies.

Speaking ahead of the deadline the country’s foreign minister believes the ultimatum is aimed not at tackling terrorism but at curtailing national sovereignty

QATAR FOREIGN MINISTER, SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN ABDULRAHMAN AL-THANI,

“This list of demands, made to be rejected. It’s not made to be accepted or not made to be negotiated. The state of Qatar instead of rejecting it as a principle, we are willing to engage in, providing the proper condition for further dialogue.”

The four Arab countries cut links with Qatar last month, severing diplomatic and travel ties.

10 days ago the list of demands was delivered.

They include closing down the Al Jazeera satellite channel, downgrading ties with arch-rival Iran and closing a Turkish air base.

Qatar has been warned the demands are not negotiable.

And was threatened with further unspecified measures if it doesn’t comply

QATAR FOREIGN MINISTER, SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN ABDULRAHMAN AL-THANI,

“There is no fear from whatever action has been taken, Qatar is prepared to face whatever consequences of this.”

Al-Thani stated he believed wisdom will prevail.

And that quote “there is an international law which should not be violated and there is a border which should not be crossed.”